Freeeeeeee!
Not my birds. Somebody else’s birds. I didn’t have a picture of mine running. I’ll definitely have to get some this Summer, as there’s nothing quite as funny as a flock of chickens running at you full tilt.
The quarantine was lifted today, at last. It was lifted for most of the country weeks ago, but we are in what is regarded as a high risk area, so we had to keep our birds bottled up a little longer.
On a serious note, the quarantine may have played a role in the death of Violence and Vita. Chickens are susceptible to bacterial infections caught off their own poop, and being locked up exposed them to it for longer periods.
That’s something I learned from my chicken course: for all people go on about the cruelty of cage-reared birds, they are generally healthier than barn-reared or free range birds because their poop falls through the bottom of the cage and away.
So. Today is the start of a four-day weekend for me. Brits take more official time off at Easter than Christmas! I’ll be back here tomorrow with something pointless and inane to say, though. That’s my promise to you!
Posted: April 13th, 2017 under animals, birds, personal.
Comments: 10
Comments
Comment from Janna
Time: April 13, 2017, 10:27 pm
How big is your flock now?
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: April 13, 2017, 10:30 pm
Four. Six is my ideal flock size. It’s the right time of year to get chicks, but I’m reluctant until I’m sure there’s not a nasty disease lurking about.
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: April 13, 2017, 11:02 pm
I wonder if a symbiotic colony of dung beetles would be a good idea to clean up after the chickens?
It may sound like I’m being a smart-ass but this is actually a serious question/suggestion.
Comment from Skandia Recluse
Time: April 13, 2017, 11:30 pm
Chicken stampede, run for your life!
A friend of a second cousin’s third wife had a nephew who was trampled by a herd of chickens. It was ‘orrible.
Comment from Ric Fan
Time: April 14, 2017, 12:03 am
What about some quakers? I think ducks are cute and you can build them a little pond. 🙂
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: April 14, 2017, 12:49 am
@Ric Fan – If you build them a little pond they will be thy Friend.
Comment from Mr. Dave
Time: April 14, 2017, 12:55 am
“And I set my chickens free. And there was chickens in the pasture, chickens in the barn, chickens in the cauliflower, chickens in the corn. Chickens driving CadIllacs to Washington, D.C. When I set my chickens free!”
— Gilbert Shelton
If you know that ditty I know something about you.
Comment from Uncle Badger
Time: April 14, 2017, 2:20 pm
I’d love to have ducks, Ric Fan and we have considered it but, sadly, they make a slimy mess in a garden and they are also trickier to keep in some ways.
Besides, Stoatie is a chicken kinda weasel, so I’ll stick to having my ducks with hoi sin sauce.
Comment from Ric Fan
Time: April 14, 2017, 4:33 pm
Cruel, Uncle B! Ducks get so excited when it rains. Even a little puddle will send them a flapping and a quacking. Ducks get along very well with chickens, too.
Comment from durnedyankee
Time: April 14, 2017, 4:36 pm
You’re allowed to keep flocks of Quakers in the UK?
How about a gaggle of Mennonites? They’re less bothered by farm machinery and electric lights and such.
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